Powerloom owners seek legal protection for wage hike agreement amid reduced payments

COIMBATORE: Powerloom owners in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts, who weave on job-work basis for textile manufacturers, have alleged that wages have been cut for the past two months, causing heavy losses. They have demanded that the recently signed wage revision be enforced with legal backing.Speaking on behalf of the Federation of Job-Work Powerloom Owners’ Associations in Coimbatore and Tirupur, its president E Bhoopathi said Tamil Nadu has around five lakh conventional powerlooms, which serve as a key livelihood source for poor and middle-income rural families. In Coimbatore and Tirupur districts alone, nearly four lakh families depend on the sector directly and indirectly.He recalled that since 1990, wage agreements were typically signed once every three or four years between manufacturers and weavers, helping sustain the industry. However, he said powerloom owners are now forced to agitate repeatedly to secure even agreed payments.Around 90% of conventional powerlooms in the two districts operate on job-work wages. Weavers receive warp yarn from textile manufacturers and produce grey fabric (Gada). Wage revisions are usually finalised through tripartite talks involving manufacturers, weavers and district administrations, factoring in inflation, labour costs and electricity tariff hikes.After a gap of 10 years, a wage increase was agreed for 2025. But manufacturers in Avinashi and Palladam have allegedly been paying reduced rates for the last two months. As per the agreement, weavers should receive Rs 4 to Rs 6 per metre depending on fabric variety. Instead, payments are reportedly cut by 25 to 50 paise per metre.Bhoopathi said this reduction translates into losses of Rs 500 to Rs 600 per day for units that would otherwise earn around Rs 1,000, severely impacting those producing lakhs of metres. With raw material prices rising by up to 30%, the squeeze has intensified.He alleged that despite the revised agreement, manufacturers cite weak market conditions and revert to old rates. The federation urged the state govt and district administrations to ensure payment of the revised wages and to provide legal protection for enforcement.A petition has been submitted to the Tirupur district collector, who has assured that talks will be convened soon.